"Manners are the hypocrisy of a nation"

I cannot say that I greatly regret the demise of Jörg Haider, but Austrian politicians have been falling over themselves to appeal to his voters to praise rather than bury him:

"He was a remarkable person" and one should "pay tribute to him," was how Social Democratic Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer....Haider had had "an excellent feeling for what needs to be changed" in Austrian politics".

Heinz Fischer, the Social Democratic president, said Haider's death was a "human tragedy," and that he had been a "politician with great talents."

The ex-head of the Austrian Green Party, Alexander Van der Bellen, said Haider had been "an exceptional politician, highly qualified to inspire people and win [them] over."

The conservative People's Party vice chancellor Wilhelm Molterer said Haider hadn't minced his words, and therefore "deserves great respect."

The Social Democratic president of the Austrian parliament, Barbara Prammer, recognized the great political and life achievements of Haider, who helped shaped Austria's political landscape over the decades".

All quotes from the Jerusalem Post, bar the headline which is from Balzac.